Coyotes host Canucks trying to avoid 11th straight loss

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Arizona Coyotes look to finally play the role of spoiler by snapping a club record-tying losing streak on Thursday evening when they take on the Vancouver Canucks.

The Coyotes are winless since Feb. 9 in Chicago, losing 10 straight games in regulation. That is the longest losing streak since the club relocated from Winnipeg and matches 10-game slides by the Jets that were posted in 1993-94 and 1980-81.

The first 10-game slide in franchise history actually came as part of a 30- game winless span for the Jets, who lost 23 games with another seven ties over a run posted during the club's second season in existence.

Arizona was dealt a 4-1 loss by the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, with Tobias Rieder scoring and Mike Smith making 31 saves in the Coyotes' first game since making several moves ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

"It has been a little different with the new guys in the room, but we'll try to do our best and finish the season strong," said Rieder.

Tuesday's setback came in the opener of a six-game homestand and was the Coyotes' ninth in a row as the host. They have not won in Arizona since Jan. 8.

The Coyotes look to snap that home slide and deal the Canucks a second loss in a row. Vancouver is coming off a 6-2 defeat to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

Henrik Sedin posted two goals, both off assists by Daniel Sedin, for the Canucks, who had won three of four coming into the game. Henrik Sedin's two tallies put him past 900 career points.

Jacob Markstrom's first start of the year was short-lived as he gave up three goals on four shots in just under eight minutes of work. Eddie Lack stopped 23-of-24 shots in relief, with the Sharks scoring twice into an empty-net.

"I felt great coming in and getting a start like that is a bit of a nightmare," said Markstrom. "I want all three (goals) back."

The loss has the second-place Canucks only three points ahead of Calgary, Los Angeles and San Jose in the Pacific Division.

Lack had made three straight starts since Ryan Miller went down with a right knee injury and will likely start tonight looking to shake off some tough luck versus the Coyotes. He is 0-2-0 against them in two starts despite yielding only two goals on 55 shots.

The Coyotes and Canucks have split the first two contests of their five-game season series -- both in Vancouver. Arizona notched a 5-0 win on Nov. 14, but Vancouver countered with a 7-1 victory on Dec. 22.

Arizona has won three in a row at home in this series, including back-to-back 1-0 decisions.

Smith is 6-4-2 versus the Canucks with a 2.45 goals against average, .923 save percentage and two shutouts in 13 games.